MW Heating

Evaluating Microwave Energy Impact on 3G Snacks
(Food Research International, 2024)

This study, developed together with the i-Food Group at the Universitat Politècnica de València, applies our work experience with microwave energy to third generation snacks, evaluating its impact on them and the dielectric properties and their expansion on food samples used in the work. The study has been published in Food Research International.

Third-generation (3G) snacks, a food type of widespread interest in the industry, have a longer shelf life than second-generation (2G) snacks. The primary regeneration process for these snacks involves frying and microwaving. However, only a few studies have detailed the effects of microwave irradiation on these products. This study aims to analyse the influence of the type of material, compression, and microwave power on the expansion capabilities of the pellets. Four raw materials (rice flour, rice semolina, corn semolina, and wheat starch) were combined with water to achieve uniform moisture content and extruded into pellets with different compression ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1). The elaborated samples were processed at different microwave powers (heating rates of 2 and 10 °C/s) using an instrument capable of accurately delivering microwave energy to food samples while monitoring key process parameters, including dielectric properties.

 

Food Research International 2024

The main results obtained were that samples with high starch content, low protein content, and low fibre content, in conjunction with higher compression ratios exhibited a more pronounced expansion, which highly influences the texture and perception of the final product by customers.

Evaluating Microwave Energy Impact on 3G Snacks
(Food Research International, 2024) Read More »

Materials developed to improve hydrogen production from water using microwave radiation

A team from the Microwave Division (DIMAS) of the Institute of Information and Communications Technologies (ITACA), and the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ), a joint research centre of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has developed the design of materials that improve the process of obtaining hydrogen from water using microwave radiation. The process allows hydrogen to be obtained from renewable electrical energy, thus avoiding CO2 emissions from hydrogen production.

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Materials developed to improve hydrogen production from water using microwave radiationRead More »

Materials developed to improve hydrogen production from water using microwave radiation Read More »

General assembly of DESTINY project

On March 22nd, the DESTINY partners gathered in Spain for the 8th General Assembly of the project, held with the aim of discussing the final achievements towards the realization of a functional, green and energy saving, scalable and replicable solution, employing microwave energy for continuous material processing in energy intensive industries.

 

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General assembly of DESTINY projectRead More »

General assembly of DESTINY project Read More »

HIPPERWAVES

High Performance and Cost-Effective Microwave Processing of Metal Parts with Ultra High Isostatic Pressing

The automotive industry is under increasing pressure from environmental and security regulations, driving a crucial shift from traditional steel to more sustainable and cost-efficient light alloys such as aluminium and magnesium. Despite their advantages, the current manufacturing technologies for these materials still face high production costs.

Die Casting (DC) is a well-established technology for producing aluminium parts, particularly for the transport industry. High Isostatic Pressure (HIP) can be applied to DC-produced parts for densification to enhance the performance and durability of these components.

The HIPPERWAVES project aims for a pioneering technology that combines HIP processes with an advanced microwave reactor (MW-HIP). This innovative system promises an efficient and rapid method for producing metal parts with exceptional properties, leveraging the ultrafast and volumetric nature of microwave heating applied to metal powders.

The microwave technology developed in the HIPPERWAVES project will revolutionize the manufacturing and post-processing of metal components, offering unprecedented superior properties. This advancement will significantly enhance the efficiency of HIP processes, resulting in substantial cost reductions. Integrating this technological leap will dramatically streamline the production process, leading to significant material and energy savings and improved component quality.

Preliminary laboratory trials indicate that the application of microwave energy in the HIP process can reduce processing time dramatically, potentially increasing productivity by an order of magnitude and lowering associated costs by a factor of ten.

The HIPPERWAVES project is supported by a strong partnership between two leading entities. The Microwave Division of the ITACA Insitute of the Universitat Politécnica de València (ITACA-DIMAS UPV) brings unparalleled expertise in microwave technology, while ROVALMA S.A., an R&D-intensive SME, excels in the development of steels and other alloys. This interdisciplinary collaboration integrates extensive experience in materials science, mechanics, and industrial design, ensuring the project’s success through their combined expertise and resources.

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MICROPET

Innovative Research on Microwave Heating for PET Preforms

One of the most common methods for manufacturing containers used in packaging, transporting, and storing beverages involves heating PET preforms to a pliable state before the blow molding stage, ensuring that the resulting plastic bottles have the appropriate mechanical properties. Traditional heating technologies, such as infrared heating, often result in significant energy losses, making the process less economical and environmentally friendly.

The MICROPET project will explore microwave technology as an alternative to traditional heating techniques for PET preforms. Unlike conventional methods, microwaves enable direct energy application to the material, enabling rapid heating and significantly reducing both time and energy consumption.

This project is a collaborative effort between ITACA-DIMAS and KRONES AG, a leading company in the packaging and bottling industry. By combining academic expertise with industrial experience, we aim to advance microwave heating technologies for PET preforms.

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